The Federal Procession in New York City, July 23, 1788

When news arrived in New York City on June 25 that New Hampshire had become the ninth state to ratify the Constitution, thereby establishing the Constitution among the ratifying states, prominent Federalists decided to hold a celebratory procession. The city's workers—its professionals, its tradesmen, and its "mechanics," or artisans—would be represented, some on floats. A committee of arrangements was appointed. On July 23, about 5,000 people assembled at what is today City Hall Park. The procession began at 10 a.m. and extended for a mile and a half. It was "slow and majestic." Huge crowds lined the route. One observer called the procession "the most brilliant ever seen in America, and probably few of the oldest City's in Europe ever excelled in a procession of the kind."

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